Resumen

The main objective of this paper is focused in the use of a waste generated by the TiO2 pigment
industry, ilmenite mud (MUD), on the production of ceramic bodies. These ceramic bodies were
produced from mixtures of a commercial red stoneware mixture (RSM) with different
concentrations of mud (3, 5, 7, 10, 30 and 50 wt.%). The samples were sintered to simulate a fastfiring
process. The sintering behaviour of the fired samples was evaluated by linear shrinkage,
means of water absorption, apparent porosity and bulk density. Both green powder and fired
samples were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC/TG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and bending strength
measurements. Moreover, the activity concentrations of radionuclides were measured by highresolution
low-background gamma spectrometry, because this mud is a NORM (Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material) waste. Finally, the TCLP leaching test (Toxicity Characteristic
Leaching Procedure, USEPA) was performed to assess the risks of use tiles from an environmental
perspective. The results demonstrated that MUD can be successfully valorised in the manufacture of
red stoneware ceramic bodies with similar or even better technological properties than
commercialmaterials used currently.

Resumen

The main objective of this paper is focused in the use of a waste generated by the TiO2 pigment
industry, ilmenite mud (MUD), on the production of ceramic bodies. These ceramic bodies were
produced from mixtures of a commercial red stoneware mixture (RSM) with different
concentrations of mud (3, 5, 7, 10, 30 and 50 wt.%). The samples were sintered to simulate a fastfiring
process. The sintering behaviour of the fired samples was evaluated by linear shrinkage,
means of water absorption, apparent porosity and bulk density. Both green powder and fired
samples were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC/TG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and bending strength
measurements. Moreover, the activity concentrations of radionuclides were measured by highresolution
low-background gamma spectrometry, because this mud is a NORM (Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material) waste. Finally, the TCLP leaching test (Toxicity Characteristic
Leaching Procedure, USEPA) was performed to assess the risks of use tiles from an environmental
perspective. The results demonstrated that MUD can be successfully valorised in the manufacture of
red stoneware ceramic bodies with similar or even better technological properties than
commercialmaterials used currently.